All in the Family

Last fall, in the wake of one of the most successful seasons in program history, Drexel soccer star Ken Tribbett was named a second-team all-CAA performer—and the honor was more than justified.

The 6-foot-2 junior midfielder scored four goals on the season, including two game-winners, and he led the Dragons to a CAA regular-season title and, just as important, a bid to the NCAA tournament.

As the Dragons look ahead to what should be another winning season in 2013, Tribbet spoke to Drexel Magazine about how he ended up studying sport management in Drexel’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies, his memories of last season and the long legacy of athletic success in his family.

You grew up in suburban Denver. What are some of the decisions that led you to Drexel? It was basically due to soccer. I wanted to play Division I college soccer. Doug [Hess] recruited me kind of late, and I committed in April. I did not get a lot of offers. Doug came in the same year I was coming in, and it kind of worked out perfectly.

There are so many changes these days in college sports and with members leaving Division I conferences, including the CAA. Most of this is driven by football, a sport Drexel does not have. What is it like being a student-athlete at Drexel? I enjoy it. Not having football, I don’t really mind. We have a basketball team that drives the most fans. We are behind them and lacrosse, maybe. It gives us a little more attention (with no football team). Soccer has been my favorite sport since I was three years old. It is one I truly love. It is my passion. It is something I want to do the rest of my life. I think I want to be a coach when I am done playing.